Alabama commitment Dakota Ball was among a handful of recruits in Tuscaloosa on Saturday. It was Ball's second trip to UA in the last couple of months, and he got a chance to sit down with Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban.

"It went great," Ball said. "I talked to all of the coaches. I talked to Coach Saban before practice. I just talked to him about what I was doing in track, shot put and discus. He told me their practice schedule and how they run things in the spring."

Ball, a defensive lineman from Lindale, Ga., was impressed with the effort he saw from the lineman at practice, and the intensity Alabama's new defensive line coach Chris Rumph showed on the field.

"I got to watch the defensive line and the offensive line go at it for awhile," Ball said. "It was pretty fun to watch.

"I like Coach Rumph. He told me he hasn't cussed since 1995, and he was telling the truth. He doesn't cuss at all. All of the other coaches were like I wish could do what he does."

When Ball committed to Alabama, Bo Davis was still the defensive line coach, but Davis took a job with Texas in January. Since Davis left, Ball has gotten to know his replacement and may even like him better now.

"I like both of them, but I think I like Coach Rumph a little more," Ball said. "They both know what they're talking about, but Coach Rumph has a different way of getting information to you and teaching you that I like."

At 6-foot-2, 285 pounds, Ball has the ideal size to play defensive end in a 3-4 defense, but Alabama is open to playing him at either position on the defensive line. He played defensive tackle in a 4-3 defense last year for Pepperell High School.

"I can play defensive end and defensive tackle just as well," Ball said. "I like defensive end because I like getting on the edge and working my hands more, instead of just having to bull rush my way through, but I can do both."

On his visit Saturday, Ball introduced himself to Dillon Lee, another Georgia prospect, who has the Crimson Tide among his favorites and who may be making a decision soon. Ball said he talked to Lee's dad about Alabama and recruiting in general.